Modular roof system

ABSTRACT

A modular system for providing a roof structure for new and old buildings and designed for the containment of air curtain door systems, heating, cooling, ventilating and make-up air equipment and the like, and adapted for universality of application in various styles of building architecture.

United States Patent Henson [54] MODULAR ROOF SYSTEM [72] inventor:Ariel R. Henson, Birmingham, Mich.

[73] Assignee: Disco Engineering, Inc., Detroit, Mich,

[22] Filed: Nov. 26, 1969 [2]] Appl. No.: 880,330

[52] U.S. Cl ..98/36, 52/199, 52/302, 52/303, 62/263, 165/53 [51] Int.Cl ..F24f 9/00 [58] FleldofSearch ..98/31,32, 33,33 A, 36, 38, 98/43;62/263, 449, 450; 165/53; 52/95, 96, 173, 199, 302, 303, 473

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,051,071 8/1962 Leigh..98/37 E 1 May 23, 1972 3,111,720 11/1963 Sherron ..52/199 X 3,115,81912/1963 Mahlmeister et al. ..98/3l X 3,220,71 l 1 1/1965 Leppard et a162/263 UX 3,308,740 3/1967 Henson et a1 ..98/36 3,324,782 6/ 1967 Norriset al. ..98/33 Primary Examiner-Meyer Perlin Assistant ExaminerP. D.Ferguson Attorney-Harness, Dickey & Pierce ABSTRACT A modular system forproviding a roof structure for new and old buildings and designed forthe containment of air curtain door systems, heating, cooling,ventilating and make-up air equipment and the like, and adapted foruniversality of application in various styles of building architecture.

21 Chins, 13 Drawing Figures Patented May 23, 1972 3,664,254

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 i j; ff JA 2 7 ji 4,; /4 [/74 I Q! 1/ INVENTOR.

Patented May 23, 1972 4 Sheets-Sheet LE;

Patented May 23, 1972 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

Wig

MODULAR noor SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Generally speaking, thepresent invention relates to a modular system for industrial buildings,garages, car washing facilities and the like, which is adapted to servethe two-fold function of providing a roof structure for such buildingsand containing the heating, cooling, ventilating, and air conditioningequipment for the buildings, as well as any air curtain door systemswhich may be utilized therein. More particularly, the present inventionis directed to a new and improved modular roof system consisting of aseries or plurality of individual roof modules which preferably,although not necessarily, extend transversely or laterally of anassociated building and are arranged in edge to edge abuttingrelationship so as to provide a complete roof structure for thebuilding, with those modules which are oriented adjacent the accessdoors or openings of the building being particularly adapted for thecontainment of air curtain door systems, while other of the modules,which are typically located intermediate the ends of the building, are

for occupants of the associated building, yet allow for uninterruptedvehicular travel into and out of the building.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved modular roof system, as above described, which, together withbeing adapted for the containment of air curtain door systems, maycontain make-up air, heating, air conditioning and air exhaustequipment.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a modularroof system which will find universality of application since thevarious modular units thereof may be of varying size and be selectivelyarranged along a building commensurate with the intended use of thebuilding.

particularly adapted for the containment of ventilating and/or 7 airexhaust equipment which cooperates with the air curtain systems inenvironmental control of the temperature, humidify and air circulationwithin the building.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention,

.the above described modular system is adapted for various styles ofbuilding architecture, with the subject system finding particularlyuseful application in the well known hip roof, mansard roof, flat roof,and peak or gable roof architectural styles. Accordingly, the presentinvention provides a modular roof structure that is both extremelyfunctional inoperation and asthetically appealing. I

A particular feature of the present invention resides in the fact thatthe various modules constituting the roof structure of a building may bearranged along the length of a building so as to best adapt a particularbuilding structure for its intended use. For example, in a car washingfacility, where a building would typically include a vehicular ingressdoor at one end thereof and an egress door at the opposite end thereof,with the interior of the building constituting a washing area and adrying area, the roof modules could be arranged such that the roof unitsdisposed directly adjacent the vehicular ingress and egress openingswould serve for the containment of suitable air curtain equipment, whileother modular units which would be located immediate the ends of thebuilding could contain, for example, an air exhaust mechanism or fan andan additional air curtain mechanism or blower for separating the washingand drying areas of the building and providing for environmental aircirculation therebetween, as will hereinafter be described in detail.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to modularbuilding structures and, more particularly, to modular roof structuresfor new and old buildings and adapted for the containment of air curtaindoor systems, heating, ventilating and make-up air equipment.

It is accordingly a general object of the present invention to provide anew and improved combination modular roof and air conditioning system.

It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide a newand improved modular system of the described type which is adapted forvarious styles of building architecture.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved modular system of the above described type which is adapted forboth new and old buildings.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved modular system of the above described type which will findparticularly useful application in the containment of air curtain doorsystems which obviate the need for movable overhead doors and functionsto properly condition outside air to create a comfortable workingenvironment It is another object of the present'invention to provide anew and improved modular roof system wherein the various airconditioning equipment associated with the modules may be mounted so asto provide for air ingress and egress from the building through suitableaccess openings that are located, for example, under the caves of thebuildings or through suitable louvered openings in the roof surface, forexample, such as might be found in a mansard roof design.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of atypical building having the modular roof system of the present inventionin operatively association therewith;

FIG. 2 is an elevated perspective view of the building illustrated inFIG. 1, and shows the various modular units of the roof system of thepresent invention in a partially exploded configuration;

FIG. 3 is an elevated perspective view of an exemplary air curtain doorsystem which is'intended to find operative association with the modularroof system of the present inven tion;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the internal operating mechanism associatedwith the air curtain door system shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary elevated perspective view of a modular roofsystem in accordance with the present invention and shows an exemplaryconstruction for mounting air egress or exhaust equipment in one of themodular units of said system;

FIG. 6 is an elevated perspective view of the structure shown in FIG. 5,as seen in the direction of the arrow 6 therein;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a building having the modular roofsystem of the present invention in operative association therewith, withthe modular system constituting a plurality of modular units of a hiproof architectural style;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a building having the modular roofsystem of the present invention in operative association therewith, withthe modular system constituting a plurality of modular units of amansard roof architectural style;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a building having a modular roof systemof the present invention in operatively association therewith, with thesystem constituting a plurality of modular units, each of which is of apeak or gable roof architectural style, with the peak of each modularunit extending generally transversely or laterally of the building;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIGS. 7 through 9,'and illustrates themodular system of the present invention as comprising a series ofmodular units defining a common peak roof extending longitudinally ofthe building;

FIG. 11 is an elevated perspective view, partially broken away, of amodular unit of the present invention having in operative associationtherewith, an exemplary air exhaust fan or blower mechanism;

FIG. 12 is an elevated perspective view of a modular roof system inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention, wherein theends of the individual modular units are provided with a series ofsimilar appearing louvers through DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERREDEMBODIMENT For purposes of clarity of description, the term conditioningof air" or air conditioning" or derivatives thereof, as used herein,will have reference to any type of apparatus or system which functionsto perform an operation on fresh atmospheric air at ambient temperatureto filter, purify, change the temperature thereof and/or moisturecontent (humidity) preparatory to utilizing said air for somepredetermined purpose. Additionally, the term make-up air" as usedherein will have reference to the use of fresh outside ambient air whichis used for ventilating, forced air heating or cooling and more thanmakeup for exhausted air for the purpose of pressurizing the interior ofa building or the like in order to minimize drafts and provide forpreselected control of internal air circulation within the building.

Referring now in detail to the drawings and in particular to FIGS. 1 and2, a modular system for providing a roof structure for a buildingstructure is designated by the numeral and is shown as comprising aseries or plurality of cooperable individual modular units, generallydesignated 12, which may or may not be of substantially identicalconstruction, depending upon the intended use of the building with whichthe modular system of the present invention is to be operativelyassociated, as will hereinafter be described. By way ofexample, themodular system 10 is shown in operative association in FIGS. 1 and 2with a generally elongated building structure 14 comprising a pair oflongitudinally extending, spaced parallel side walls 16 an 18 thatterminate at the'opposite ends thereof in a pair of laterally extendingend Walls, one of which is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is designated by thenumeral 20.

Generally speaking, the plurality of modular units 12 are adapted toserve the two-fold purpose of providing a roof or overhead enclosure forthe interior of the associated building 14 and for the containment ofair conditioning equipment which is intended to function in receivingfresh atmospheric air at ambient temperatures and in performing anoperation on said air, for example, either heating or cooling said air,preparatory to communicating said air interiorly of the building wherethis air is used for heating, cooling, ventilating or any 'other desiredpurpose. Each of the modular units 12 generally comprises an upper andouter section which, as illustrated in FIG. 3, may consist of an upperpanel or member 22 and a pair of laterally spaced, longitudinallyextending side panels or members 24 and 26 that function together toprotect the area inside the building from undesirable environmentalelements, such as rain, snow or other types of inclement weatherconditions. Additionally, each of the modular units 12 comprises a lowersection which, for example, may consist of a generally flat orhorizontally extending panel 28 (see FIG. 3) that is adapted tooperatively engage the uppermost marginal portions of side walls 16 and18 and be fixedly secured thereto for securing the associated unit 12 tothe building structure 14. Each of the units 12 also preferablycomprises a pair of end wall members or panels 30 and 32 which extendlaterally between the side members 24 and 26 at the longitudinallyopposite ends of each of the modular units 12.

The members 2232 of each of the modular units 12 may be fabricated ofany suitable material and be operatively connected in any manner wellknown in the art, whereby to provide substantially closed parallelepipedshaped units which may be arranged in edge to edge abutting relationshipalong the entire length of the associated building structure 14 so as toprovide an effective, weatherproof roof or overhead enclosure therefor.By way of example, the members 22-32 may be fabricated of a suitablegage sheet metal and be connected to one another at their respectivemarginal edges by suitable screws, bolts or the like and/or welding,with the interior of the various units 12 being provided with internalreinforcing means in the form of reinforcing channels, angle irons orthe like, representatively designated in FIGS. 3 and 4 by the numeral34. Alternatively, of course, the members 2232 may be fabricated of woodor other suitable building materials, with the members 22-26 beingprovided with weather protective coverings in the form of any suitablewaterproof and weatherproof roofing materials or the like, as is wellknown in the art.

For purposes of illustration of an exemplary application of the modularsystem 10 of the present invention, the building structure 14 maycomprise an automobile washing facility through which successiveautomobiles, such as the vehicle 36 illustrated herein, may traverse forpurposes of having a washing or cleaning operation performed thereon.The building structure 14 is accordingly provided with a pair ofvehicular access openings, generally designated 38, in the end wallsthereof, through which vehicles may travel into and out of the structure14, as will be apparent and is well known in the art. It will beappreciated, of course, that although the modular roof system 10 of thepresent invention is illustrated herein in operative association with anautomobile washing facility or other building structures which may betypically used for vehicular storage, repair or the like, said system isnot in any way intended to be limited to such applications, since theprinciples of the present invention may find wide and varied use in manyadditional types of building structures.

As previously mentioned, the various modular units 12 constituting themodular roof system 10 of the present invention are adapted for thecontainment of air conditioning equipment, and as such, render thesystem 10 particularly applicable for automobile washing facilities,since the modular units 12 may be provided for heating and ventilatingequipment as is commonly needed in such facilities, and moreimportantly, may be provided with air curtain door systems for obviatingthe need for movable overhead doors and thus allowing for uninterruptedvehicular travel without detracting from comfortable working conditionswithin the associated building structure 14. In such an application, themodular units 12 disposed adjacent the access openings 38 are providedwith suitable air curtain door systems which receive fresh air from theexterior of the structure 14 and, after heating or otherwiseconditioning such air, force the same across the openings 38 to providethe desired air curtain effect. Additionally, other of the modular units12 located intermediate the ends of the structure 14 may be providedwith suitable air passage defining means and blower or fan means forcommunicating air out of the interior of the structure 14 so as toprovide an air exhaust function which is desirable with air curtainsystems in general and particularly with air curtain systems provided inan automobile washing facilities, automobile dealerships, industrialplants, etc.

FIGS. 2 through 5 illustrate an exemplary air curtain door system whichmay be provided in the modular units 12 located at the ends of thebuilding structure 14, with such an air curtain system typicallyconsisting of a suitable electrically energized drive motor 40 which isadapted to drive a pair of blower assemblies 42 and 44, for example,through a drive belt 46 and coupling 48. A suitable heater or burnerunit 50 is provided and is connected through conduit means 52 andvalving 54 with a source of fuel and is adapted to heat the aircirculated by the assemblies 42, 44. It will be appreciated, of course,that the burner unit 50 may be replaced by a hot water heater, steamcoils, etc., or by a suitable air cooling or refrigerator unit forlowering the temperature of the air circulated by the blower assemblies42, 44 instead of heating said air, depending upon the ambienttemperature conditions and desired environment within the interior ofthe building structure 14. Air which is heated (or cooled) by the unit50 is adapted to be communicated through a suitable housing 56 with apair of laterally spaced plenum-like ducts 58 and 60 which projectdownwardly from the lower side of the module units 12 with which the aircurtain systems is associated, with the ducts 58, 60 upon operativelymounting the module units 12 located at each end of the structure 14,extending downwardly into the structure 14 and being oriented adjacentthe opposite sides of the access openings 38 thereof. The ducts 58, 60,which may be of either one or multiple-piece (section) construction, areprovided with suitable nozzle means, representatively designated by thenumeral 61, which function to direct air communicated thereto across theopenings 38 to provide the desired air curtain at each of the openings38 of the building structure 14, as is well known in the art. A moredetailed description of the construction and operation of an air curtainsystem which will find highly satisfactory operation in association withthe principles of the present invention is found in US. Pat. No.3,308,740, issued Mar. 14, I967, assigned to the assignee of the presentapplication, and which patent is incorporated by reference herein in thedescriptive portion of this specification. It will be appreciated, ofcourse, that various other types of air curtain systems may be used,such as those which discharge air downwardly from a single overheadplenum, instead of from a pair of laterally spaced plenums asillustrated herein. Also, the end module units, together with serving tooperatively contain air curtain systems, may function in supporting anoverhead closure door or the like.

A particularly important feature of the present invention resides in thefact that the modular roof system may be designed to compliment a widevariety of different styles of architecture, whereby to render theassociated building structure aesthetically attractive in carrying outthe continuity of architectural styling in virtually all municipal andgeographical locations. By way of example, the modular roof system 10 ofthe present invention may be designed so that the associated buildingstructure appears to have a relatively flat roof, as is indicated inFIGS. 1 and 2, with such a roof construction resulting from having eachof the modular units 12 being of a generally uniform size parallelepipedconfiguration. That is, a flat roof is achieved by having all of themodular units 12 of a uniform height, whereby the upper members orpanels 22 thereof, as well as the side members or panels 24, 26, arearranged in generally coplanar relation with one another. Alternatively,and as best illustrated in FIG. 7, the modular roof system 10 of thepresent invention may be designed so as to depict and provide a hip roofarchitectural style. More particularly, the modular roof system 10illustrated in FIG. 7 is shown as comprising a plurality of adjacentlyoriented individual roof modular units 12a which are similar in size andconstruction to the aforementioned units 12, with the exception that thelaterally extending front and rear sides or panels 30a and 32a thereofare inclined upwardly and longitudinally toward one another, with theresult that each of the modular units 12a is of generallytrapzoidal-shape in longitudinal cross section. FIG. 8 illustratesanother embodiment of the present invention wherein the modular roofsystem 10 provides or depicts a mansard roof architectural style whichis achieved through the provision of a plurality of substantiallyidentical individual modular units 12b that have the side members orpanels 24b and 26b thereof inclined upwardly and laterally inwardly atsome preselected angle. Additionally, the end members or panels 30b,32b, which are exposed to the longitudinally opposite ends of theassociated building structure on the end module units 12b thereof, areinclined upwardly and longitudinally at preferably the same angle as theside members 24b, 26b, whereby to provide for continuity of design, aswill be apparent.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate two additional embodiments of the presentinvention wherein the modular roof system 10 is provided with agenerally triangular or pyramid shaped units which achieve differentarchitectural styles of what is commonly referred to as a peak or gableroof. More particularly, the modular roof system illustrated in FIG. 9comprises a plurality of modular units which have the respective frontand rear side members 300 and 32c thereof inclined longitudinally towardone another so as to define a series of longitudinally spaced, laterallyextending peaks, generally designated by the numeral 62. In FIG. 10, onthe other hand, a modular roof system is shown as comprising a pluralityof modular units 12d which have the respective side members or panels24d and 26d thereof inclined laterally toward one another so as todefine a common longitudinally extending peak 64.

It will be appreciated, of course, that the module units 12 incorporatedin the present invention may be of various alternative architecturalstyles other than those illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 10 withoutdeparting from the scope or fair meaning of the present invention. Forexample, the modular units 12 may assume a generally curvalinear ordome-shaped configuration or virtually any other shape without departingfrom the basic concept of providing a series of individual modular unitswhich are adapted to be mounted upon a suitable support structure, suchas the side walls of a building, and serve the two-fold purpose ofproviding an overhead roof for the building and containing the airconditioning equipment or apparatus used for supplying the air which isconditioned and circulated within the building. Accordingly, the presentinvention is in no way intended to be limited to the specificarchitectural styles herein above described. It is contemplated,additionally, that a basic parallelepiped shaped module could beconstructed and used on fiat roof buildings, with this basic unit beingmodified to depict a mansard roof, for example, by adding a triangularshaped edge or side sections along the laterally opposite sides thereof.

The air conditioning equipment associated with each of the individualmodular units 12 of the various above described modular roof systems 10of necessity require some type of means for supplying fresh atmosphericair thereto and for circulating said air between such equipment and theinterior and the exterior of the associated building structure. Anotherparticularly important feature of the present invention resides in thewide variety of different ways in which such air may be supplied to thebuilding and exhausted therefrom through the module units 12, with suchair supplying, circulating, exhausting, and generally environmental aircontrol means or apparatus being completely self-contained within theunits 12. By way of example, when the associated building structure,such as the building 14, is intended to serve as an automobile washingfacility and is provided with an air curtain system at each end thereof,it is necessary to provide a source of fresh ambient air for each of theair curtain systems, as well as to provide for some type of exhaust fanor blower arrangement for removing, for example, high moisture laden airfrom the building. In accordance with the present invention, the sourceof fresh ambient air may be provided in the form of suitable openings inthe longitudinally opposite side members or panels 30 or 32 of the endmodular units 12, with such openings being provided with suitable grillor louver means, as indicated at 69 in FIG. 10. Alternatively, and asbest illustrated in FIG. 7, a suitable fresh air intake opening may beprovided in the underside or eave portion of the modular unit 12 withinwhich the air curtain door equipment is operatively disposed, wherebyfresh ambient air could enter such system by flowing in the direction ofthe arrows 68 in FIG. 7. Of

course, various other ways of supplying air to such air curtain systemswill be readily apparent to the skilled artisan and a detaileddescription of additional ways of providing the same will be omittedherein in order to simplify the present disclosure.

With regard to exhausting air from the interior of the buildingstructure, it is highly desirable that an exhaust fan or blower belocated at some position intermediate the ends of the building.Accordingly, one or more of the intermediate module units of the system10 may be designed for the containment of such exhaust equipment, whichmay be in the form, for example, of suitable blower or fan assemblies 70and 72 that are adapted to be communicable with the interior of theassociated building structure and exhaust air therein through suitableunder the eave mounted grill structures or the like, as indicated at 74in FIG. 6. Such exhaust fan or blower assemblies may be communicablewith the interior of the building through any suitable air ductingarrangement that is located interiorly of the associated modular units12. Alternatively, an arrangement such as is shown in FIG. 11 may beused where the height of the modular units 12 is relatively small sothat there is no great amount of dead air space therein. In FIG. 11, amansard roof type modular unit 12b is shown as being mounted upon a pairof spaced side walls 16b and 18b and provided with a pair of suitableexhaust fan or blower mechanisms 76 and 78 which are disposed in thelaterally outermost portions of the unit 12b and adapted to exhaust airdownwardly through the eaves of the roof system, i.e., exteriorly of thewalls 16b, 18b, respectively. The underside of panel 28b of the modularunit 12b shown in FIG. 11 may be provided with a suitable grill or otheropening, as designated at 80, through which air that is contained withinthe building structure may pass to the blower mechanisms 76, 78, wherebyto provide for air circulation in the manner illustrated by the phantomarrows in FIG. 11.

FIG. 12 illustrates yet another embodiment of the present inventionwherein a modular roof system is shown as comprising a plurality ofunits 12e, which are similar to the units 12a illustrated in FIG. 7,with the exception that the side members 24, 26 thereof are replaced byuniformly appearing grilllike panels, generally designated 82, whichconstitute the laterally opposite ends of each of the modular units l2e.Such grill panels 82 are adapted to provide for air communicationbetween the exterior of the associated building and the interior of theunits 122, with one of the units 122 being provided, for example, with apair of exhaust fan or blower assemblies 84 and 86 which are adapted toexhaust air communicated to the interior of said unit l2e through asuitable ventilator grill or the like 88, as indicated by the arrows 90.In another of the modular units 12e, the grill panels 82 thereof areadapted to act as fresh air inlets, whereby fresh atmospheric air may becommunicated interiorly of said unit 12c, as indicated by the arrows 92,for purposes of ventilation, providing make-up air for the interior ofthe associated building structure or for any air curtain system that maybe provided thereon. In a situation where air communication is notdesired through one or more of the module units l2e, the panels 82associated therewith could be designed so as to be imperforate, therebybeing completely closed (i.e., imperforate), but having an appearancesimilar to the other grill panels 82, thus preserving the aestheticcontinuity of the building.

It will be appreciated, of course, that the module units 12 of themodular roof system 10 of the present invention may be secured in anyone of a number of satisfactory ways to the associated buildingstructure and that suitable sealing means well known in the art may beprovided interjacent the confronting edges of the various module units12 in order to provide for a positive moisture proof and weather-tightseal therebetween. Of course, the units 12 may be suitably reinforced toprovide for snow loading and the like and may be provided for eavetroughing when necessary. Additionally, the various modular units may beprovided with access doors, such as is indicated at 94 and 96 in FIG. 4,in order to provide for access to the air conditioning equipmentcontained therein or for any other purpose, furthermore, the units maybe provided with the necessary electrical, and light equipment requiredin the associated building, whereby to optimize preassembly orprefabrication thereof.

FIG. 13 illustrates yet another embodiment of the present invention andalso indicates the mode of operation of a typical application thereof ina car washing facility. More particularly, FIG. 13 illustrates abuilding or structure 98 which is provided with a modular roof system100 consisting of a plurality of individual module units 102, 104, 106,108, and 110 which are designed so as to provide the building 98 with apeak roof architectural style, similar to the roof style shown anddescribed in connection with FIG. 10. The module units 102 and l 10,which are located at the longitudinally opposite ends of the building98, are provided with longitudinally outwardly extending overhang oreave portions 112 and 114, respectively, beneath which fresh atmosphericair may pass in traveling to laterally extending grill assemblies 116and 118 that are communicable with air curtain systems, generallydesignated 120 and 122, which are operatively mounted within the units102 and 110, respectively. The module units 104 and 108 although servingto provide a roof or enclosure for the building 98, do not contain anyair conditioning equipment per se in the illustrated embodiment;however, the modular unit 106 disposed interjacent the units 104 and 108is provided with a suitable exhaust or blower mechanism 124 which isadapted to exhaust air within the building 98 upwardly and outwardlythrough a suitable exhaust grill which may be concealed, for aestheticor appearance reasons, by means of a cupola 126 mounted on the top ofthe module unit 106.

The vehicle washing facility contained within the building 98 may beassumed to be divided into two areas, namely, a vehicle washing area andvehicle drying area, and in operation of the facility, the air curtainsystems 120 and 122, which consist of suitable blower and sir heatingequipment, receive outside ambient air through the grills I16 and 1 18and simultaneously force such air, after the same has been properlyconditioned, across the doorways located at the ends of the building 98to provide an effective air door curtains. The forced air provided theair curtains may also be used for pressurization of the buildinginterior and therefore serve to more evenly heat the building andreinforce the air curtains against momentary strong winds and therebyeffectively resist drafts and undesirable air circulation within thebuilding 98. The air which is forced out of the systems 120, 122 intothe interior of the building 98 will circulate upwardly in the directionof the arrows shown therein toward the exhaust mechanism 124, with suchair flow carrying the water vapor, excess moisture and undesirablenoxious gases, such as CO (carbon monoxide), hydro-carbons etc., up andout of the building in a controlled manner. If desired, a suitableblower may be provided within the interior of the building 98 tosupplement the action of the exhaust mechanism 124 and operate so as tocause the warm dry air from the drying area to be circulated toward thewashing area and thereafter flow upwardly toward the mechanism 124,whereby to assist the mechanism 124 in removing the excess moisture andvapor from within the building 98.

It is to be noted that the modular roof system 10 of the presentinvention may be operatively associated, not only with new buildings,but also in the renovation of existing building structures.Additionally, it is contemplated that the module units 12 of the system10 may be utilized in providing an overhead roof or enclosure for areaswhich, instead of being provided with enclosed side walls, are merelyprovided with vertically disposed support structures, such as spacedsupport columns or the like. Such an application might be found ingasoline service stations where it would be desired to provide anoverhead roof for a service island where the gasoline pumps are located,with one or more of the modular units 12 serving the dual function ofproviding a roof over the service island and conditioning the airlocated in the area therebelow, for example, by heating or cooling theair and providing one or more air curtain systems to protect serviceattendants and/or vehicles from inclement weather conditions.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the present invention provides anew and improved modular roof system which is adapted to serve thetwo-fold function of providing an overhead roof or enclosure and containair conditioning equipment such as air heating, cooling and ventilatingapparatus, as well as air curtain door systems which are to be utilizedfor example, in protecting the interior of a building structure fromambient weather conditions prevailing outside of a normally open accessdoor or opening. The present invention will be seen to be universallyapplicable in a wide variety of different types of building structuresand may be designed so as to be compatible with any desired architecturestyle. The modular system of the present invention may also be used inexisting buildings or in new buildings and be provided, as desired, withair conditioning equipment for heating, cooling or providing make-up airfor the interior of a building, so as to provide for the maximumuniversality of application.

While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiments illustratedherein are well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it willbe appreciated that the present invention is susceptible tomodification, variation and change without departing from the scope ofthe invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a building having a pair of laterally spaced, longitudinallyextending support walls or the like, the improvement comprising amodular roof structure for covering and providing a permanent roof overan area between the support walls,

said roof structure comprising a plurality of co-operative,

interconnected, laterally extending modular units arranged in side byside relationship and being supported in a relatively elevated positionabove the area between the support walls, said roof structure includingmeans coextensive of the upper sides of said units and means adjacentthe mutually confronting portions thereof protecting said units and thearea covered thereby from outside environmental elements,

at least one of said modular units including heat exchange means andfirst air flow passage means for communicating fresh outside air fromthe exterior of the building to said heat exchange means and second airflow passage means for communicating conditioned air downwardly fromsaid heat exchange means toward the area.

2. The invention as set forth in claim 1 which includes means withinsaid one unit for pressurizing the area below the roof structure, andwherein said one unit includes passage defining means for communicatingmake-up air to said pressurizing means.

3. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said one modular unitcomprises passage defining means for exhausting air from said area tothe exterior of said modular roof system.

4. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said heat exchangemeans includes means for heating air and for thereafter circulating theheated air to the area.

5. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said heat exchangemeans includes means for cooling air and for thereafter circulating thecooled air to the area.

6. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein one of said modularunits comprises passage defining means for circulating air from withinthe building to the exterior ofthe building.

7. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said air flow passagemeans includes means for communicating air downwardly away from one ofsaid units along two laterally spaced flow paths and for directing theair communicated along said paths laterally across the building.

8. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said air flow passagemeans includes means for communicating air from one of said unitslaterally of the support walls and thereby provide an air curtain withinthe building.

9. The invention as set forth in claim 1 which includes means forcommunicating air from one of said units downwardly along the interiorof the support walls and for thereafter directing the air laterallytoward the center of the building.

10. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said modular unitsextend generally transversely of the support walls and are arranged inedge to edge abutting relationship and are supported adjacent theopposite ends thereof by the uppermost marginal portions of the walls.

11. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said plurality ofmodular units are of a generally hip roof style architecture.

12. The lnventlon as set forth in claim 1 wherein said plurality ofmodular units are of a generally flat roof style architecture.

13. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said plurality ofmodular units are of a generally mansard roof style architecture.

14. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said plurality ofmodular units are of a generally peak roof style architecture.

15. The invention as set forth in claim 1 which includes cupola meansfor at least partially concealing said air flow passage means.

16. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein the ends of saidmodular units project laterally outwardly from the support walls anddefine therewith an cave, and which includes air circulating meansadjacent said eave for communicating air between the outside of thebuilding and the area defined between the support walls and the roofstructure.

17. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said one modular unitcomprises a fresh air inlet exposed to the exterior of the building forcommunicating air between the exterior of the building and the interiorof the said one unit, and

wherein said one unit further includes a conditioned air outlet exposedto the interior of the building for communicating conditioned airbetween the interior of said one unit. and the area defined between thesupport walls.

18. The invention as set forth in claim 17 wherein said air outlet isadapted to direct air downwardly from said one unit and to thereaftercommunicate said air laterally inwardly of the building.

19. The invention as set forth in claim 18 which includes a pair oflaterally spaced air outlets for directing air from one of said unitsdownwardly and laterally inwardly from the opposite sides of thebuilding to provide an air curtain therewithin.

20. In the method of constructing a building having a pair of laterallyspaced, longitudinally extending side walls or the like, the steps whichinclude,

providing the building with a modular roof structure for covering andproviding a permanent roof over an area between the support walls,

mounting the roof structure on the support walls by placing a pluralityof cooperable, interconnected, laterally extending modular units in sideby side relationship at a relatively elevated position above the areabetween the support walls and thereby providing an exteriorly exposedweather resistant roof for protecting the area from outsideenvironmental elements, and

simultaneously providing the building with heat exchange means and withfirst air flow passage means for communicating fresh outside air fromthe exterior of the building to the heat exchange means and second airflow passage means for communicating air from the heat exchanger towardthe area below the roof structure.

21. The method as set forth in claim 20 which includes the step ofexhausting air from the interior of said area to the exterior of saidbuilding through said passage defining means.

1. In a building having a pair of laterally spaced, longitudinallyextending support walls or the like, the improvement comprising amodular roof structure for covering and providing a permanent roof overan area between the support walls, said roof strUcture comprising aplurality of co-operative, interconnected, laterally extending modularunits arranged in side by side relationship and being supported in arelatively elevated position above the area between the support walls,said roof structure including means coextensive of the upper sides ofsaid units and means adjacent the mutually confronting portions thereofprotecting said units and the area covered thereby from outsideenvironmental elements, at least one of said modular units includingheat exchange means and first air flow passage means for communicatingfresh outside air from the exterior of the building to said heatexchange means and second air flow passage means for communicatingconditioned air downwardly from said heat exchange means toward thearea.
 2. The invention as set forth in claim 1 which includes meanswithin said one unit for pressurizing the area below the roof structure,and wherein said one unit includes passage defining means forcommunicating make-up air to said pressurizing means.
 3. The inventionas set forth in claim 1 wherein said one modular unit comprises passagedefining means for exhausting air from said area to the exterior of saidmodular roof system.
 4. The invention as set forth in claim 1 whereinsaid heat exchange means includes means for heating air and forthereafter circulating the heated air to the area.
 5. The invention asset forth in claim 1 wherein said heat exchange means includes means forcooling air and for thereafter circulating the cooled air to the area.6. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein one of said modularunits comprises passage defining means for circulating air from withinthe building to the exterior of the building.
 7. The invention as setforth in claim 1 wherein said air flow passage means includes means forcommunicating air downwardly away from one of said units along twolaterally spaced flow paths and for directing the air communicated alongsaid paths laterally across the building.
 8. The invention as set forthin claim 1 wherein said air flow passage means includes means forcommunicating air from one of said units laterally of the support wallsand thereby provide an air curtain within the building.
 9. The inventionas set forth in claim 1 which includes means for communicating air fromone of said units downwardly along the interior of the support walls andfor thereafter directing the air laterally toward the center of thebuilding.
 10. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said modularunits extend generally transversely of the support walls and arearranged in edge to edge abutting relationship and are supportedadjacent the opposite ends thereof by the uppermost marginal portions ofthe walls.
 11. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidplurality of modular units are of a generally hip roof stylearchitecture.
 12. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidplurality of modular units are of a generally flat roof stylearchitecture.
 13. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidplurality of modular units are of a generally mansard roof stylearchitecture.
 14. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidplurality of modular units are of a generally peak roof stylearchitecture.
 15. The invention as set forth in claim 1 which includescupola means for at least partially concealing said air flow passagemeans.
 16. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein the ends ofsaid modular units project laterally outwardly from the support wallsand define therewith an eave, and which includes air circulating meansadjacent said eave for communicating air between the outside of thebuilding and the area defined between the support walls and the roofstructure.
 17. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said onemodular unit comprises a fresh air inlet exposed to the exterior of thebuilding for communicating air between the exterior of the building andthe interior of the said one unit, and wherein said one unit furtherincludes a conditioned air outlet exposed to the interior of thebuilding for communicating conditioned air between the interior of saidone unit. and the area defined between the support walls.
 18. Theinvention as set forth in claim 17 wherein said air outlet is adapted todirect air downwardly from said one unit and to thereafter communicatesaid air laterally inwardly of the building.
 19. The invention as setforth in claim 18 which includes a pair of laterally spaced air outletsfor directing air from one of said units downwardly and laterallyinwardly from the opposite sides of the building to provide an aircurtain therewithin.
 20. In the method of constructing a building havinga pair of laterally spaced, longitudinally extending side walls or thelike, the steps which include, providing the building with a modularroof structure for covering and providing a permanent roof over an areabetween the support walls, mounting the roof structure on the supportwalls by placing a plurality of cooperable, interconnected, laterallyextending modular units in side by side relationship at a relativelyelevated position above the area between the support walls and therebyproviding an exteriorly exposed weather resistant roof for protectingthe area from outside environmental elements, and simultaneouslyproviding the building with heat exchange means and with first air flowpassage means for communicating fresh outside air from the exterior ofthe building to the heat exchange means and second air flow passagemeans for communicating air from the heat exchanger toward the areabelow the roof structure.
 21. The method as set forth in claim 20 whichincludes the step of exhausting air from the interior of said area tothe exterior of said building through said passage defining means.